Sitia

One of the least 'touristy' parts of Crete, the town of Sitia was built up in Venetian times, destroyed and later rebuilt by the Turks, with just a few signs of this history remaining. The name of Sitia is derived from the ancient city of Itia, birthplace of one of the seven wise-men of the antiquity, Mison. Sitia existed during the late Minoan period and until the Venetian period, during which time, the town Sitia was destroyed three times. For two centuries, Sitia ceased to exist as a town until 1869, when the present city was built. Since then, Sitia is developing into on of the most important areas in Crete.

Beautiful picturesque tavernas, refreshment stands, country restaurants, cafeterias in the town and along the quay side, are at your disposal. Although the town is increasingly developing, it keeps its traditional character and the hospitable character of its police and friendly people.

Getting to this more isolated region of 'La Sitia' takes you on a journey through magnificent countryside, generously supplied with dramatic gorges, intriguing villages hanging onto inland peninsulas or steep hillsides, along a 'highway type' road.

One of the best harbours on Crete, Sitia can accommodate small fishing boats and larger cargo and transport boats as well. Around the harbour there are many restaurants and tavernas as well as coffee shops.
Today, its long sandy beach offers the pleasures of sand, sea, swimming and ideal windsurfing opportunities.

Sitia is the home of excavations that started in 1985 which have so far revealed settlements with palatial-style buildings, fortification walls and many artefacts.
There were fortifying walls around the city of Sitia from the Byzantine period. North of the fort there is a little chapel built from the ruins of a Venetian monastery destroyed by the Turks.